{"id":2694,"date":"2014-06-30T10:53:43","date_gmt":"2014-06-30T17:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/?p=2694"},"modified":"2014-06-30T10:53:43","modified_gmt":"2014-06-30T17:53:43","slug":"your-first-dui-not-worth-the-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/your-first-dui-not-worth-the-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Your First DUI — Not Worth the Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"
Don\u2019t think that first-time DUI in California is something that you can easily minimize on your driving record by attending traffic school. The State of California takes DUI charges seriously with the following terms for a misdemeanor conviction, assuming no deaths or injuries and that you are of legal drinking age:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Up to $1,000 in fines, in addition to other penalty charges resulting in a total approximate charge of $1,800
\n\u2022 Up to 6 months in jail
\n\u2022 License suspension for a minimum of 4 months
\n\u2022 Installation of an ignition interlock device.
\n\u2022 Required attendance and successful completion of an alcohol-treatment program; the length is based on factors such as your BAC at the time of arrest
\n\u2022 SR22 Filing, which is an expensive insurance designed for DUI offenders<\/p>\n
For those who are underage and get a DUI in California<\/a>, there is an additional charge of illegal alcohol possession as well. The terms are also harsher for those that are under 21.<\/p>\n What does this mean for the future of your driving privileges? This DUI charge will stay on your record for 10 years and any repeating offense will bring on tougher terms of punishment and longer suspensions, or even the revocation of your license, depending on the severity of the crime.<\/p>\n If you still have driving privileges after a DUI arrest, you\u2019ll have to file for SR22 Insurance. An SR22 Insurance is also known as DUI Insurance; the \u201cSR\u201d stands for safety responsibility. This document, prepared and filed by an insurance company, informs the DMV that you have an insurance policy after getting your license suspended from a DUI, reckless driving, driving without insurance, or anything else that could result in license suspension.<\/p>\n For a DUI in California, you\u2019ll have to pay for the SR22 Insurance<\/a> for 5 years. If at any time you do not pay the premium, your insurance company will file an SR26 form. An SR26 immediately notifies the DMV your insurance has lapsed. The result? Your license will once again be suspended until you have SR22 Insurance again.<\/p>\n